Last year, my husband and I took a road trip to Chicago with our three kids. Let me tell you – Chicago is now officially my favourite city in the USA. I adore it! The overall vibe of the city, the architecture, the food, the family-friendly activities, sights and amenities have stolen my heart forever.
We planned our visit around the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade for a reason. This show-stopping holiday highlight is a parade you don’t want to miss. We watch it on our television year after year, but for 2011, we decided to see it live. Over one million people will travel to Chicago’s Magnificent Mile to begin their holidays during the 21st annual BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on Saturday, November 17, 2012.

During the parade, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from the Walt Disney World® Resort in Florida will lead a magical evening lighting parade down The Magnificent Mile, illuminating more than one million lights on 200 trees along North Michigan Avenue. Although the parade itself starts in the evening, there are plenty of festivities to take advantage of earlier on. Starting at 11 a.m., families are invited to enjoy holiday-themed activities in Lights Festival Lane (Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan Avenue) featuring booths from Chicago’s finest including John Hancock Observatory, Garrett Popcorn Shops, The Eli’s Cheesecake Company, BMO Harris Bank and more. Radio Disney AM 1300 Chicago will be on-site hosting a family-friendly concert.

The highly anticipated tree lighting parade begins at 5:30 p.m., however if you can’t make it the nationally-televised event will be broadcast live on Saturday, November 17 from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. CST in local markets on ABC7 Chicago and in more than 65 markets around the country throughout the holiday season. Broadcast times available in local listings.

A mom to two girls and a baby boy, a writer and the publisher of Child Mode. As a lover of style and fashion, Nadia found her ‘niche’ and love of children’s clothing while searching for quality items for her family.